Lori observed that many insurance carriers do not reimburse for lactation
care and services. In Massachusetts, we have at least one HMO, Tufts, that
reimburses for one LC visit in the hospital and up to $150 of LC services
post discharge. I supplied lots of materials to the people over there who
worked on making this a reality. I was puzzled, however, when I would get
patients with this coverage but who were unable to obtain reimbursement for
my services. When I asked about this I was told that the employer who
provides the insurance package must select the lactation coverage. Even
though Tufts would pay for it, if the employer did not offer it the services
could not be reimbursed. So it is not just the insurance carriers that we
need to target our efforts towards.

ILCA and IBLCE are working hard on this issue.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA

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